CHINA

I AM GOING TO CHINA IN 4 WEEKS TIME. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THAT PART OF THE WORLD BEFORE. I AM GOING WITH AN OPEN MIND, AS I HAVE HEARD SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS ABOUT CHINA. I AM GOING ON A CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH MY T'AI CHI CLASS. A NUMBER OF US ARE GOING AND WE ALL MEET UP LAST NIGHT, AND HAD A VERY NICE MEAL IN A CHINESE RESTAURANT. IT WAS NICE TO MEET THE OTHERS WHO WILL BE ON THIS TRIP WITH ME, AND WE ALL GOT TO ASK ANY LAST MINUTE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT ALL.I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY. WE ARE HEADING FOR BEIJING TO START OFF AND WE WILL BE AWAY FOR 16 DAYS. WE WILL BE GOING TO THE WALL, TERRACOTTA ARMY, A TRIP DOWN OVERNIGHT IN A TRAIN TO THE SOUTH, A VISIT TO AN OPERA, AN OVERNGIHT STAY WITH A CHINESE FAMILY, AND OF COURSE ATTEND MANY DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE DIFFERENT MARTIAL ARTS AND I AM SURE I WILL HAVE A TRY AT SOME OF THEM. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO TAKE A SUITCASE, BUT WITH VERY LITTLE IN IT, AS WE CAN BUY SO MUCH IN CHINA. I AM HOPING TO PERHAPS FIND A GOOD DIGITAL CAMERA WITH A VERY GOOD ZOOM, AS I AM INTERESTED IN TRYING TO CAPTURE PICTURES OF THE BIRDS THAT VISIT MY GARDEN.